7/15/18 – Gifts – Part 3 – Tongues

The Gift of Unknown Tongues

Opening Passage

1 Corinthians 12:4-10 (NKJV)
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father
I pray that today’s message
transition from a head knowledge into a heart revelation
and through the power and the person of the Holy spirit
renew our minds and transform our lives with Your word
in the name of Jesus.
Amen

Introduction

John 20:21-22 (NKJV)
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

S: There is no record here of the disciples immediately speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit although they did all speak with tongues later.

S: Personally I believe the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit at work is found in the book of Galatians.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

GREEK for fruit is kär-po’s: in essence it means a result.

Luke 6:44 (NKJV)
For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

Remember the Pathway Rule: No Fruit, No Gift!

S: Scripturally speaking there are three types of unknown tongues written about:

Tongues for personal edification (prayer language)
Tongues for interpretation
Tongues as a sign to the unbeliever

Explain Miracle of Other Languages in Acts 2 (Day of Pentecost)

Explain an Unknown Tongue and Interpretation in a gathering.

1 Corinthians 14:2 (NKJV)
For he who speaks in a tongue 1does not speak to men 2but to God, for no 3one understands him

S: Today where are teaching on tongues for personal edification or you could say a, “personal prayer language.”
It’s scriptural

S: On three different occasions, in the book of Acts, Luke thought it important enough to document actual eye witness accounts of believers speaking in an unknown tongue.

BTW: Just in case someone is thinking that only three incidences of tongues is not much, the “Born Again” experience is also mentioned only three times and I would say that’s pretty important topic!

S: Also, Paul spent the majority of two chapters in his first letter to Corinth giving instructions on the gift of unknown tongues.

Q: Can you guess why?
A: Because it was greatly misunderstood and controversial.

Q: Do you know why I have decided to dedicate an entire sermon to only one type of unknown tongue today?
A: For the same reason Paul did! It is still greatly misunderstood and controversial in the church today.

Q: So can we all agree unknown tongues are an important thing to talk about?

Q: Having said all of that, guess what Paul said?

1 Corinthians 14:5 (NKJV)
I wish you all spoke with tongues…

Q: That’s pretty clear isn’t it?
Q: Guess what else Paul said?

1 Corinthians 14:18 (NKJV)
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all…

S: Don’t worry; I’m going to read the rest of this passage in a moment!

1 Corinthians 14:39 and 40 (NKJV)
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

S: Obviously, there were churches that were forbidding this gift to operate.
Q: Are there churches today that forbid tongues? Yes there are!
Q: Is Pathway one of those churches? No we are not?
Q: Right now someone is thinking Pastor Mike, why don’t we see people using the gift of tongues at weekend worship?
A: I’m glad you asked!

S: Before I read verse 40 I want take a look at verse 23…

1 Corinthians 14:23 (NKJV)
Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

I promised I would read the rest of 14:18…

1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (NKJV)
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Q: So, could it be that there are times and occasions that we would not minister or operate in the gift of tongues?
A: Absolutely!
Q: Again, when would that be?
A: When, there come “in the church” “those who are uninformed or unbelievers.”
Q: And why is this?
A: According to Paul, they will say “you are out of your mind!”
Q: Is that a good representation of God? No it’s not!

Q: So when is the appropriate time for this gift?
A: When everyone present is a fully informed believer.
Q: Does that make since? Is that biblical?

S: Before anyone corners me after church, remember we are teaching on tongues for personal edification today not tongues as a sign to the unbelievers.

S: I think all of this is summed up in verse 40 of 1 Cor. chapter 14…

VERSE 40
Let all things be done decently and in order.

It’s edifying

1 Corinthians 14:2-4 (NKJV)
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

GREEK for edify is oi-ko-do-me’-ō: to build up or promote growth

Q: Does the church need building up?
Q: Do you need building up?

Jude 1:20 (NKJV)
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

1 Corinthians 14:14 (NKJV)
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV)
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

1 Corinthians 14:26 (NKJV)
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

S: Sometimes we build each other up and sometimes you have to build up yourself.
Q: How does this happen?
A: When we pray in the Spirit!

It’s a gift?

1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays…

S: Notice, Paul says, “If”.
S: God is not going to make you break out in an unknown tongue over the loud speaker at Wal-Mart.
Q: Do I have to pray in tongues at Pathway Church? No!
Q: Is there any negativity attached to not speaking in tongues at this church? No!
Q: Do I have to adhere to the belief that tongues are for today to be a member of Pathway Church? No!

1 Corinthians 12:30 (NKJV)
Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Notice how Paul concludes his teaching on tongues in verse 15…

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

Illustration

STORY Mike Bales – Anna Washam – Ruthie Frye

Luke 11:11-13 (NKJV)
If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

S: According to Jesus you have to ask or invite the Holy Spirit into your life.
S: If you want this awesome gift of a personal prayer language, you only need to ask and He will not give you a serpent or a scorpion!
S: Don’t be afraid to ask the Father for the Holy Spirit and don’t be afraid to ask the Holy Spirit for anything including the gifts He brought with Him!

Closing Prayer

1 John 2:27 (NLT)
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie.

S: I would like to ask a favor of anyone today who has doubts on the validity of this teaching.
S: I’m going to pray a prayer with you and I want you to ask the Holy Spirit two questions:

Holy Spirit is this gift that You so graciously gave to the early church still available for believers today?
If you desire this gift: Holy Spirit do you want me to have this gift?

Prayer: Holy Spirit – is the gift of tongues or a personal prayer language available for believers today? Holy Spirit, will you give me that gift?

S: Saints, everything we do as Christians we do in faith.
S: Hopefully as a Christian you at least pray with understanding or in English.
Q: Does it take faith to talk (in English) to a God you cannot see? Of course it does.
S: It also takes faith to allow your spirit to pray without your understanding in an unknown tongue.

Invitation for Salvation and Ministry

Heads Bowed and Eyes Closed

Do you know that the gift of the Holy Spirit and all His wonderful gifts are there for everyone who invites Christ into their lives? These gifts are for those who know Jesus as their Lord and for their building up and to provide strength for the struggles of life. Why? Because we all have struggles but without the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit you are struggling alone and fighting in vain. In vain, because without Jesus you’ll struggle and fight all your days like Paul describes…

1 Corinthians 9:26 (KJV)
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

Without Jesus, you are fighting like someone punching the air! You’re wearing yourself out and can never win! But Paul says that you can run with certainty. Certainty of what? Certainty of heaven because without Jesus you can be certain that only eternity in a hell that was made for the Devil and his demons. God never intended you for hell. That’s why He sent His only begotten Son to die in your place, so that whosoever believes on Him will be with Him forever in heaven, absolutely, of course! But also, you will never struggle or fight alone again! And, you will begin winning the battle of life because Jesus did not lose the battle to death. No! He rose from the grave and He is preparing a place for you right now.

John 14:3 (NKJV)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Can you imagine that? Jesus is preparing a place for you… where He is!

That’s for you, don’t wait until it’s to late. Receive Christ today.

Father, thank you for your Son who died on Calvary Cross so that I could be forgiven; forgive me of my sins. Thank you for raising Jesus to life again so that I can now have the promise of eternal life in heaven. I believe in the resurrection. I receive you Jesus, today, right now as my personal savior and as the Lord over all my life. I receive your promise of salvation and I serve you now and forever. Jesus, I am yours!